Author Topic: First Gig with My Spyder (Read 202 times)

ajdover · « **on:** March 21, 2004, 12:46:20 AM »

Everyone,

Did my first gig tonight with my Spyder. Comments heard included the following:

You'll put someone's eye out with that.
That thing's awesome.
It's huge!
It's beautiful.
All I could think of was John Entwistle.
Man, you were sick [I think he meant good] on that tune.
Dude, you were thumping on that tune. And that bass ... wow!
You got a keyboard in that case?
Who makes that?
Where can I get one?
It cost HOW much?
Hey, turn the landing lights [LEDs} on.

Believe it or not, it's actually a very comfortable instrument to play, nicely balanced (I rest my right forearm on the bass side point - balances everything out nicely). I saw pics of John Entwistle with his Spyders, and he kind of held the bass out at an angle away from his body. I found myself doing the same thing, but it was still very comfortable. Played it two sets (had to play my Fender for two sets cause I had to do some slapping - the neck pickup on my Spyder is too close to the end of the fingerboard and doesn't lend itself to slapping much), and no fatigue whatsoever. The neck is long, but easy to get used to. It was a bit challenging to reach F on the first fret of the E string (I have small hands), but other than that, it was awesome - easy to reach every other fret. And no, it's not heavy (not to me, anyway). And the sound ... well, what can I say. It's an Alembic.

Ahh, the joys of owning a Spyder.

Alan

senmen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2004, 02:28:27 AM »

Alan,

I think you had really fun with your Spyder!
It is really a great instrument, isn?t it?
Let?s stay in contact mate.

Oliver (Spyderman)

kmh364 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2004, 04:08:15 AM »

No pics of the gig? Post 'em if you got em!

Kevin

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 21, 2004)

keavin · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2004, 04:34:21 AM »

speaking of spyder,did you have people climbin up walls during the bass solo?

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2004, 06:55:37 AM »

Alan; on the slapping. You may want to try lowering the pickups. You might get them low enough to where your technique for slapping will work; or not. And you may or may not like the difference in tone the lowered position gives. But it may be worth experimenting. Or just order another Spyder with custom pickup position!

senmen · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2004, 10:56:51 AM »

Alan,
or you get comfortable to Johns slapping style and then the actual pickup position is ok...

Oliver (Spyderman)

ajdover · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2004, 11:32:24 AM »

Oliver: It is a great instrument. Then again, all Alembics are. I think the Spyders are unique amongst Alembics due to the body shape, headstock, etc. It just looks so, shall I say, intimidating? I actually had people get out of the way when I wore it! BTW, what was John Entwistle's slapping style/technique? And have no fear - I'll stay in touch.

Dave: I'll try lowering the pickup, but I usually like mine as high as I can get them.

Keavin: Like I said, people were trying to get out of the way, solo or no!

And sorry, all, no pics. I took my camera but forgot I had it with me! Maybe next time.

Alan

senmen · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2004, 12:53:45 PM »

Alan,
I can tell you the Spyder fits so good to me that today when I visited a music store and tried normal basses they seemed so strange to me. So tiny, such high string settings....
As for Johns slapping technique, it is a combination of his typewriter technique, but with a more powerful attack and while tap-slapping with your first and second finger popping the g string with your pinky between the end of the fingerboard and the neck pickup.
Sounds strange but it works really great.

Oliver (Spyderman)

alemboid · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2004, 11:45:52 AM »

Alan,

I found it very rewarding to read your experience. I think we Alembicians are a special breed that loves bass just as much as the next bassist/ bass lover, but focuses on special equipment that all the more emotes who we are as musicians via looks as well as sound.

I carry my Mark King 5 around in a Gator keyboard case made for a 76 note synth. Its great, as it has wheels built in, is an ATA type flight case but it is light. It is deep enough to hold 2 basses, so I built a second compartment to hold my Orion that also fits my Sadowsky should I choose.

Yeah, its a keyboard case, but as you know, some Alembics are big basses.

Play on!

Bryant